It's 7:11, and you're listening to Kelly and Steve on Moody Radio. And man, you know, we were talking about social media a few minutes ago, and a lot of our kids are just glued to screens, and there's not a lot that's worth looking at on screens. I mean, there's just there's a lot of junk out there. So you've got to search hard to find some things that are worthwhile for your kids. And man, we have something that is worthwhile to talk about right now.

It's 7:11, and you're listening to Kelly and Steve on Moody Radio. And man, you know, we were talking about social media a few minutes ago, and a lot of our kids are just glued to screens, and there's not a lot that's worth looking at on screens. I mean, there's just there's a lot of junk out there. So you've got to search hard to find some things that are worthwhile for your kids. And man, we have something that is worthwhile to talk about right now.

That is right. You know, I just want you to think about your favorite children's books from however far back you might have to think, and then just take note of what children's books are being published today that will be classics in the years to come for your your grandchildren will grow up with, or your kids are going to grow up with. And based on a very classic, Pilgrim's Progress is the series The King's Cadets and Little Joe Kevin Chandler is with us. Good morning. You are the author of these books and these stories, and they are just simply fantastic.

That is right. You know, I just want you to think about your favorite children's books from however far back you might have to think, and then just take note of what children's books are being published today that will be classics in the years to come for your your grandchildren will grow up with, or your kids are going to grow up with. And based on a very classic, Pilgrim's Progress is the series The King's Cadets and Little Joe Kevin Chandler is with us. Good morning. You are the author of these books and these stories, and they are just simply fantastic.

Hey, guys. Thanks. Good morning.

Hey, guys. Thanks. Good morning.

Well, we're glad that we finally were able to chat with you, because this is a book that you co-created with Joe Sutphin, who handled all of the the illustration work and your prose are placed into these stories, and we just really enjoyed them. So these characters, uh, James, Matthew and Little Joe, uh, tell us, like, how did these come about for you guys in this new book?

Well, we're glad that we finally were able to chat with you, because this is a book that you co-created with Joe Sutphin, who handled all of the the illustration work and your prose are placed into these stories, and we just really enjoyed them. So these characters, uh, James, Matthew and Little Joe, uh, tell us, like, how did these come about for you guys in this new book?

Mm. Yeah. It was really, um, it was a decision that Joe and I made together, and he had done Little Pilgrim's Progress a few years ago. And as we, um, explored the idea of kind of expanding that story. We really love these brothers. And, um, you know, no spoilers, but at the end of The Little Pilgrim's Progress, they are still in the land of delight. And we thought, well, that's a really fun place to be. And these are, you know, a group of little boys, brothers who, um, could probably get in a lot of trouble, just like they do in Little Pilgrim's Progress. And, um, that's the the kind of books and movies that Joe and I grew up on with, you know, sandlot and, and, uh, berenstein bears and that kind of stuff. And so we thought, well, um, I think we could really run with this and have a lot of fun with these, these boys.

Mm. Yeah. It was really, um, it was a decision that Joe and I made together, and he had done Little Pilgrim's Progress a few years ago. And as we, um, explored the idea of kind of expanding that story. We really love these brothers. And, um, you know, no spoilers, but at the end of The Little Pilgrim's Progress, they are still in the land of delight. And we thought, well, that's a really fun place to be. And these are, you know, a group of little boys, brothers who, um, could probably get in a lot of trouble, just like they do in Little Pilgrim's Progress. And, um, that's the the kind of books and movies that Joe and I grew up on with, you know, sandlot and, and, uh, berenstein bears and that kind of stuff. And so we thought, well, um, I think we could really run with this and have a lot of fun with these, these boys.

I love allegories and which obviously that is what this is. And Kevin, talk a little bit about why, um, you like to use allegory for teaching. What and how do you feel that kids respond to that? I, you know, I love it even as an adult. And there's just something about it in particular with the King's cadets and Little Joe and Little Pilgrim's Progress, too. And just reading through these. I'm sitting here this morning, even just flipping through it and reading through it again and just feeling it touch my heart. And I want you to share from your perspective why you choose to write this way and how you feel that this works in reaching kids.

I love allegories and which obviously that is what this is. And Kevin, talk a little bit about why, um, you like to use allegory for teaching. What and how do you feel that kids respond to that? I, you know, I love it even as an adult. And there's just something about it in particular with the King's cadets and Little Joe and Little Pilgrim's Progress, too. And just reading through these. I'm sitting here this morning, even just flipping through it and reading through it again and just feeling it touch my heart. And I want you to share from your perspective why you choose to write this way and how you feel that this works in reaching kids.

Yeah. Well, I love that you're flipping through it even this morning. I mean, it's a beautiful book, the way Moody printed it and Joe's artwork and everything. It's just feels good to flip through it, so that's good to hear. Um, but as far as allegory and storytelling, um, you know, I am reminded of a quote from C.S. Lewis where he talks about how story helps get past the watchful dragons of of skepticism and criticism. And, um, so I feel like, um, that is really important for, um, feeding our, our children truth and, um, helping them steep their hearts in good things is to, um, tell it through story. And allegory is such a fun blend of that, where you are telling fictional stories, you're painting a picture for kids, but you're also giving them, um, actual terminology and words that are going to be important for them to know, um, you know, like, uh, the brothers, they have a little sister named innocence, and she's, uh, kind of nursed and taken care of by mercy. And so you, you incorporate these words and these terms and ideas a little more directly. So I to go back to that analogy, you are getting past the watchful dragons, but you're also showing a little bit more of of who you are, you know, as you go past them. So they they see who you are, but they don't mind as much. Um, but I feel like Kings Cadets is, you know, little program is is a very direct allegory. And, um, Kings cadets, we tried to stick with that and tried to honor that, but also, um, maybe softening it a little bit, making it a little more loose.

Yeah. Well, I love that you're flipping through it even this morning. I mean, it's a beautiful book, the way Moody printed it and Joe's artwork and everything. It's just feels good to flip through it, so that's good to hear. Um, but as far as allegory and storytelling, um, you know, I am reminded of a quote from C.S. Lewis where he talks about how story helps get past the watchful dragons of of skepticism and criticism. And, um, so I feel like, um, that is really important for, um, feeding our, our children truth and, um, helping them steep their hearts in good things is to, um, tell it through story. And allegory is such a fun blend of that, where you are telling fictional stories, you're painting a picture for kids, but you're also giving them, um, actual terminology and words that are going to be important for them to know, um, you know, like, uh, the brothers, they have a little sister named innocence, and she's, uh, kind of nursed and taken care of by mercy. And so you, you incorporate these words and these terms and ideas a little more directly. So I to go back to that analogy, you are getting past the watchful dragons, but you're also showing a little bit more of of who you are, you know, as you go past them. So they they see who you are, but they don't mind as much. Um, but I feel like Kings Cadets is, you know, little program is is a very direct allegory. And, um, Kings cadets, we tried to stick with that and tried to honor that, but also, um, maybe softening it a little bit, making it a little more loose.

Well, you referenced earlier Berenstain Bears and other mischievous characters of classics, uh, that you grew up. What are some of the other influences that shaped, uh, the storytelling and the way that you do? What do you look back to as, um, authors who are inspirational to you when it comes to your writing?

Well, you referenced earlier Berenstain Bears and other mischievous characters of classics, uh, that you grew up. What are some of the other influences that shaped, uh, the storytelling and the way that you do? What do you look back to as, um, authors who are inspirational to you when it comes to your writing?

Mm. Yeah. Um, well, that was a big conversation for Joe and I as we were creating this book is we really wanted to foster in children the the same feelings that we had reading kids books when we were growing up. And so we wanted it to to be a classic kind of feel. And the things that that I went back to were, you know, Winnie the Pooh, um, Little Bear and, um, Peter Rabbit, uh, Peter Pan was a big one for me. I grew up being read to and, um, and just really enjoying a lot of those classic stories that are full of fun and wonder and, um, really, the stories are are so good and full and rich that you just want to read, you know, you're being read to and then you're like, well, I want to keep I want to keep going. So I'm going to learn to read. I'm going to build on my own understanding here, so that I can not just get lost in this world when everyone else is available. I can get lost in it myself too.

Mm. Yeah. Um, well, that was a big conversation for Joe and I as we were creating this book is we really wanted to foster in children the the same feelings that we had reading kids books when we were growing up. And so we wanted it to to be a classic kind of feel. And the things that that I went back to were, you know, Winnie the Pooh, um, Little Bear and, um, Peter Rabbit, uh, Peter Pan was a big one for me. I grew up being read to and, um, and just really enjoying a lot of those classic stories that are full of fun and wonder and, um, really, the stories are are so good and full and rich that you just want to read, you know, you're being read to and then you're like, well, I want to keep I want to keep going. So I'm going to learn to read. I'm going to build on my own understanding here, so that I can not just get lost in this world when everyone else is available. I can get lost in it myself too.

Well, I love too, that at the beginning of each tale in this book and again, the book is titled The King's Cadets and Little Joe, and we're talking with Kevin Chandler. Um, Kevin, I love that. At the beginning of each tale, you featured a scripture to help ground the reader in the story. You want to share a little bit about that, too?

Well, I love too, that at the beginning of each tale in this book and again, the book is titled The King's Cadets and Little Joe, and we're talking with Kevin Chandler. Um, Kevin, I love that. At the beginning of each tale, you featured a scripture to help ground the reader in the story. You want to share a little bit about that, too?

Yeah. Um, you know, in The Little Pilgrim's Progress, uh, just as in Pilgrim's Progress, the, the older grown up version. Um, there, as we said earlier, um, it's all allegory and, uh, there's no direct scripture reference, although it's all packed in there. Really. Well, um, but with King's cadets, We wanted to incorporate a little bit of scripture in each story. And and so, you know, we we set out and wrote the stories and, um, knew as we were coming up with the stories, well, there's a nugget of truth here or a lesson here that we want to teach. And amid the adventure and fun and, um, and then as those came together, we also were looking at, well, what what scriptural, um, truths do we really directly want to incorporate here? And so, um, it was really, uh, interesting and neat to see that come together.

Yeah. Um, you know, in The Little Pilgrim's Progress, uh, just as in Pilgrim's Progress, the, the older grown up version. Um, there, as we said earlier, um, it's all allegory and, uh, there's no direct scripture reference, although it's all packed in there. Really. Well, um, but with King's cadets, We wanted to incorporate a little bit of scripture in each story. And and so, you know, we we set out and wrote the stories and, um, knew as we were coming up with the stories, well, there's a nugget of truth here or a lesson here that we want to teach. And amid the adventure and fun and, um, and then as those came together, we also were looking at, well, what what scriptural, um, truths do we really directly want to incorporate here? And so, um, it was really, uh, interesting and neat to see that come together.

Well, what would you say out of this series, or even out of all the characters that you have ever written and created? Tell us your favorite.

Well, what would you say out of this series, or even out of all the characters that you have ever written and created? Tell us your favorite.

Um, well, I would say in this one. I mean, each character is just so unique and special. Especially as I've gotten to be involved in Joe and I have worked on these stories. Um, you know, you go from being a fan to being something more, you know, and yet a lot of these characters are from little Program. We only added, I think, only one character in this book. And, um, that was wayside. And he's a little little boy raccoon that they find in the woods. And, um, I, I would say, uh, he's probably my favorite. Not not because he's, um, a new character or original for us, but, um, because of the the message behind him. And I don't want to give too much away, but he really is, uh, a conduit for, um, sharing the gospel with the reader. Um, because he while the while the brothers, uh, know what they're doing in the land of delight. They're waiting for the king to call them home. Um, wayside shows up, and he doesn't know anything about that. And so, even as I say it now, I get chills because of how clearly the gospel is presented to him by the boys and, um, evangelists as well. The owl, he shows up and um, and helps in that conversation. And it's just a, a really beautiful picture of, um, of what Christ is calling us to. So I would have to say that's probably my my favorite moment and character in the book.

Um, well, I would say in this one. I mean, each character is just so unique and special. Especially as I've gotten to be involved in Joe and I have worked on these stories. Um, you know, you go from being a fan to being something more, you know, and yet a lot of these characters are from little Program. We only added, I think, only one character in this book. And, um, that was wayside. And he's a little little boy raccoon that they find in the woods. And, um, I, I would say, uh, he's probably my favorite. Not not because he's, um, a new character or original for us, but, um, because of the the message behind him. And I don't want to give too much away, but he really is, uh, a conduit for, um, sharing the gospel with the reader. Um, because he while the while the brothers, uh, know what they're doing in the land of delight. They're waiting for the king to call them home. Um, wayside shows up, and he doesn't know anything about that. And so, even as I say it now, I get chills because of how clearly the gospel is presented to him by the boys and, um, evangelists as well. The owl, he shows up and um, and helps in that conversation. And it's just a, a really beautiful picture of, um, of what Christ is calling us to. So I would have to say that's probably my my favorite moment and character in the book.

Oh, that's so great.

Oh, that's so great.

Everything is just so beautifully thought out in this book. I love the names for the characters, you know, and going back to Little Pilgrim's Progress and carrying it on through to the King's Cadets and Little Joe. Um, it's. And for those of you, maybe if you've not picked up Little Pilgrim's Progress and you've not yet seen the King's Cadets and Little Joe, just to give you an idea, and Kevin just mentioned, um, characters by name, Evangelist and Wayside and, um, those are just a couple of character names. Uh, you've got, uh oh, I just lost it on my page. I just lost my place. Kevin, I need a book marker here. Uh, land of delight. We've been talking about that. And I'm probably going to get this wrong because I lost my place. Was it forest of reproof?

Everything is just so beautifully thought out in this book. I love the names for the characters, you know, and going back to Little Pilgrim's Progress and carrying it on through to the King's Cadets and Little Joe. Um, it's. And for those of you, maybe if you've not picked up Little Pilgrim's Progress and you've not yet seen the King's Cadets and Little Joe, just to give you an idea, and Kevin just mentioned, um, characters by name, Evangelist and Wayside and, um, those are just a couple of character names. Uh, you've got, uh oh, I just lost it on my page. I just lost my place. Kevin, I need a book marker here. Uh, land of delight. We've been talking about that. And I'm probably going to get this wrong because I lost my place. Was it forest of reproof?

Uh, the woods of the woods of reproof. I was close, and they're right beside the restored forest. So?

Uh, the woods of the woods of reproof. I was close, and they're right beside the restored forest. So?

So even just just the place and character names just bring everything, um, to just such a to just into, uh, the way that you're teaching the kids the lessons that they want to learn. It just it's it's just beautiful the way that you have done this. And I'm so anxious for people to see the book and get their hands on it and share this with their families. I've got to ask, because even though I know that this is the latest offering, do you guys have anything else in the hopper that you're working on yet?

So even just just the place and character names just bring everything, um, to just such a to just into, uh, the way that you're teaching the kids the lessons that they want to learn. It just it's it's just beautiful the way that you have done this. And I'm so anxious for people to see the book and get their hands on it and share this with their families. I've got to ask, because even though I know that this is the latest offering, do you guys have anything else in the hopper that you're working on yet?

What's next? I mean, these characters were so fun and wonderful to work with. And I mean you. Anyone that gets the book can see the map that Joe drew in the front. And, um, it really gives you the idea that we are loving being in the land of delight and telling these stories. So, I mean, we would love to do more. So we'll see.

What's next? I mean, these characters were so fun and wonderful to work with. And I mean you. Anyone that gets the book can see the map that Joe drew in the front. And, um, it really gives you the idea that we are loving being in the land of delight and telling these stories. So, I mean, we would love to do more. So we'll see.

Plenty of places to go in that storyline. These are really wonderful. And just like wayside, I'm going to wait patiently by my mailbox though for for my letter. Uh, because man, I just I can't wait to get mine. I was looking at that and I was just like, I want to I want a letter from the King himself. Inviting me to live in the land of delight. I just love this series. This is really great. These stories that are here. Uh, and so we want to encourage folks right now to find a copy at Amazon.com or at bookstores. It's bookstores and Amazon.com where you can find a copy of The King's Cadets and Little Joe from Kevin Chandler and Joe Sutphin. A delightful read. And you're going to want to, um, not only spend time in this before you start reading it to your grandkids or your children, but you're going to want to spend some time really praying over this that it is effective in their life when you are reading it to them.

Plenty of places to go in that storyline. These are really wonderful. And just like wayside, I'm going to wait patiently by my mailbox though for for my letter. Uh, because man, I just I can't wait to get mine. I was looking at that and I was just like, I want to I want a letter from the King himself. Inviting me to live in the land of delight. I just love this series. This is really great. These stories that are here. Uh, and so we want to encourage folks right now to find a copy at Amazon.com or at bookstores. It's bookstores and Amazon.com where you can find a copy of The King's Cadets and Little Joe from Kevin Chandler and Joe Sutphin. A delightful read. And you're going to want to, um, not only spend time in this before you start reading it to your grandkids or your children, but you're going to want to spend some time really praying over this that it is effective in their life when you are reading it to them.

Man, it almost reminds me of books that I had when I was a kid. Only it's just much it's much more well done and I kind of want it for myself. But Kevin, thanks for spending time with us this morning. This has been wonderful. Appreciate you man.

Man, it almost reminds me of books that I had when I was a kid. Only it's just much it's much more well done and I kind of want it for myself. But Kevin, thanks for spending time with us this morning. This has been wonderful. Appreciate you man.

Yeah. Thank you.

Yeah. Thank you.